It’s that most wonderful time of the year for the USGA.
This is Christmas in May for one of golf’s major governing bodies.
Time for a $1.8 million windfall — also known as U.S. Open Local Qualifying.
It is that time of year, starting now and running through May 17 when a total of 9.049 players will plunk down their $200 (willingly) to the USGA, in an attempt to advance to a Sectional Qualifier.
Most of them are simply Dreamers. We know, we were guilty in our youth. What the heck, it cost a heckuva lot less back in the 60s. But this is 2018 and the cost is $200 and a player must have an index of 1.4 or less. A lot of them don’t but they have a piece of paper that says the do.
Between now and mid-May there will be more than 100 local spots.
Former pro quarterback turned television analyst Tony Romo was one of the 9,049. The $200 is chump change to Romo, he lights his cigars with $100 bills. In his case, like so many others, it was a donation. Romo shot 77 this past Monday at Gleneagles Golf Club in Plano, Tx., a Dallas suburb. He was one of 132 playing for eight spots. Low score was 66, there was a 69, two 70s and four 71s. This was one of the larger qualifiers.
Ka’anapali Golf Club out in Hawaii is the smallest — 33 players for two spots.
The USGA doesn’t have to do much to collect its $1.8 million. All these qualifiers are run by the individual state golf associations.
So yes, it is Christmas in May for the USGA.
They should send thank-you notes to all The Dreamers.
